A Simple Guide to Understanding DESNOS

 “Hello there! I’m here to provide you with a bit of information on the various aspects of DESNOS (Disorders of Extreme Stress Not Otherwise Specified) to normalize these states of mind and help you feel understood during your journey of growth and healing. I would like to remind you that suggestions on this post should not be taken as medical advice, legal advice, therapy, etc. or as a one-size-fits-all approach.  Keep in mind that every individual’s journey of experiencing and navigating through DESNOS is distinctive because you are one of a kind and no person is truly like you!  Experiencing abuse in any form is NOT OKAY, but what you are experiencing as a result of abuse is valid. 

Please know that healing is not a formula and is not for anyone else to define for you. You do you, and you follow all that you need to follow, to help yourself.

If you need additional resources or just someone to talk to, feel free to reach out to The Neeti Project."

(Image Source: Youth Ki Awaz)

What is Disorders of Extreme Stress Not Otherwise Specified (aka DESNOS)? 

DESNOS,  also called 'Complex PTSD' is a diagnosis that is made by a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist for a person who experiences symptoms like: 

• difficulty in managing anger
• self destructive behaviors 
• changes in attention which may also lead to experiencing depersonalizations, amnesias, or dissociative episodes
•  changes in the way one can control their emotional impulses
• feeling constantly guilty and responsible 
• feeling constantly ashamed 
• changing one's relationships with others 
• not being able to trust others
• not being able to be intimate 
• experiencing physical symptoms that have no medical explanation
• experiencing changes in the meaning of words, behaviors, symbols, etc. 

However, these symptoms are a result of childhood abuse or early interpersonal traumas, which has led to developmental issues and the symptoms mentioned above (Kolk, 2000). 

Is there a difference between DESNOS and PTSD? 

Yes, there is. 

DESNOS is typically the result of experiencing repeated trauma from very early on in life, for a long period of time. 

PTSD is the result of experiencing a sudden extreme event like sexual or gender-based violence, a natural calamity, war, etc.  

Things to Keep in Mind!

• Avoid Self-Diagnosis: This is a common mistake that many people (including me) have indulged or continue to engage in. It is quite normal to do so since we human beings have an urge to constantly search for answers to problems we experience both externally and internally. However, I would highly recommend not to engage in Googling a medical sign or symptom and trying to figure out whether you may be experiencing DESNOS because a wrong answer found on the internet could lead to greater stress. Moreover, there are professionals available to make the job easier for you!
• It's Okay to Seek Help! Our innate need to be in constant control of our surroundings, psychological state, and life in general may cause you to ignore, avoid, or hesitate to acknowledge the symptoms of trauma. Additionally, societal stigma attached to mental illness may distance you from seeking help. Nevertheless, I would like to convey to you that it is absolutely okay to not be in control sometimes. It is alright to not feel at the top of your game throughout life. Experiencing trauma is not easy and the brain being a complex organ, has different ways of interpreting various traumatic situations. I urge you to put yourself first if you are mentally not feeling well and seek all the assistance necessary for you to lead a happy and fulfilling life because you deserve it. 
• Seeing Light at the End of the Tunnel: Although it may take a few days, weeks, or months for you to process stressful or traumatic event/s, there most certainly will come a day when memories of the event will cease to control you, your emotions, and your behaviors!
• Resilience and Mental Health: You may wonder why some people adapt better or quickly overcome similar stressful or traumatic situations. They may engage in relatively more healthy psychological and physical functioning despite having confronted a traumatic event. This is because some people are more resilient than others. Typically, people who experience - 

• greater positive emotions
• lesser negative emotions  
• good amounts of self confidence...

have been observed to have higher resilience and are able to overcome trauma more swiftly. 

However, resilience is not something that certain people are just born with and is quite dependent on a number of environmental factors too like - one's gender, age, and socio-economic and educational background. The more resources a person has been provided overtime, the easier it may be for that person to build resilience (Butcher et al., 2014). 

• Take All the Time Necessary:  I would like to remind you that it is absolutely okay to take as much time as you need to recover from any stressor or trauma because everyone is genetically and environmentally built quite distinctively and there are no strict rules that need to be followed when it comes to healing your mind and body! 😊